Vol. 550 No. 2
509 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which Operation Encounter differs from Operation Oíche; and the additional resources provided for the Garda Síochána to implement Operation Encounter as compared to the resources available to them to implement Operation Oíche. [8202/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Encounter was developed as the latest phase of its ongoing operational response to public order problems and incidents of street violence. Following on from the success of Operation Oíche, considerable information was available to the Garda Síochána on the times and locations of previous incidents.
Using this information, the Garda authorities are now in a position to adapt a more focused approach to tacking this problem under Operation Encounter. Under the new operation, public order problems are being tackled at source. Nightclubs, licensed premises and fast food outlets are being particularly targeted at times when public order problems are most prevalent. Particular attention is also being paid to ensuring that the owners and managers of such premises are fully aware of their responsibilities and of the duty of care they owe to their patrons and other members of the public in relation to these matters.
